Himachal to relocate Giu village in Spiti following flash floods

Shimla: Himachal Government will find possibilities to relocate the tribal village of Giu in Spiti to a safer location after it was washed away due to flash floods and heavy rainfall.

The village is known for a 550-year-old mummified body of a monk which is preserved till today.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal expressed his concern over the damage caused to Giu village due to flash floods which changed the course of local river from its traditional channel to the centre of the village.

He said, ‘With a view to preserve the traditional architect and life style of the residents of Giu village the government has taken up the matter with the Government of India to allocate alternate forest land at Silche near Hurling village, where the entire village could be relocated safely.

Every year a large number of tourists and researchers, visit Giu to study the unique, naturally preserved mummy in a monastery.

The mummy was found by a team of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) after an earthquake that hit the region in 1975. It was discovered from one of the eight stupas in the village. Even the teeth, nails and hair on the skull of the mummy are intact.

Dr. Ram Lal Markandey, MLA, Lahaul and Spiti, detailed the latest position of the tribal district where heavy losses has been reported. He thanked the Chief Minister for providing Rs. 2 crore as flood relief to the district and requested him to get the relocation of Giu village settled on priority to protect the villagers against any future incidents.